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Our History

Over five decades of pioneering water treatment technology — from a small Austrian workshop to a global enterprise.

Since 1970

A Legacy of Innovation

What began as a small engineering firm in Austria has grown into an internationally recognised leader in water treatment technology. Our journey is defined by continuous innovation, unwavering quality and a deep respect for the world's most precious resource.

Key Milestones

1963

The Foundation

Foundation of Aqua Engineering GmbH in Austria

1981

European Expansion

Establishment of Aqua Engineering GmbH as subsidiary of THYSSEN Industrie Holding AG in Salzburg, Austria

1987

Middle East Expansion

Award of 8 nos. SWRO desalination plants from ¼ to 2 MIGD from Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity department as first major desalination turnkey supply contract

1988

Asian Expansion

Award of first soft loan financed project China being WWTP Nantong

1995

European Expansion

Award of turnkey supply of 86.400 m3/d municipal drinking water treatment plant at Butoniga, Croatia

1998

European Expansion

Taking over by Austrian BWT AG and moving business to Mondsee, Austria

2004

Going Global

Award of 360.000 PE central wastewater treatment plant turnkey supply for the Slovenian capital City of Ljubljana.

2005

Going Global

Integration into CHRIST Water Technology AG Award of turnkey supply of 3 + 6 MIGD SWRO desalination plants at New Qidfa and Al-Zawrah by Federal Electricity and Water Authority, UAE Award of first EU co-funded turn key supply of 130.000 m3/d municipal drinking water plant for Deva, Romania

2007

Going Global

Award of turnkey supply of 20 MIGD contract for Hamriyah SWRO desalination plant by Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority, UAE

2009

Going Global

Take over of CHRIST Water Technology AG by Canadian listed and Montreal based GLV Corp. Award of turnkey supply of 7 + 3 (relocation from new Qidfa) MIGD SWRO desalination plant at Al-Zawrah by Federal Electricity and Water Authority, UAE

2010

Going Global

Name change to Ovivo Aqua Austria during rebranding process and creation of OVIVO

2011

Going Global

Award of a detailed engineering services contract for a 28,9 MIGD SWRO desalination plant at Al-Jubail, Al-Fatah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

2012

Technology Leadership

Merged with Ovivo Austria GmbH into one single entity

2014

Sustainable Innovation

Demerged from Ovivo Aqua Austria and re-established as Aqua Engineering GmbH with the business in Tobelbad, Austria

2015

The Future of Water

Establishment of Aqua Engineering LLC in the UAE and share purchase of Austrian Aqua Engineering GmbH